Mosaic Hotel Mussoorie appoints Amal Kundu as General Manager

New Delhi, 2023: Mosaic Hotel Mussoorie, an upscale property and a perfect place for a weekend getaway announced the appointment of Mr. Amal Kundu as the General Manager of the hotel. A seasoned hospitality professional Mr Kundu, in his new role will be responsible for overseeing the entire hotel operations including implementing high standards of services, business strategies, and revenue management.

A postgraduate of management from Symbiosis, Mr. Kundu brings more than 17 years of experience in hospitality businesses with leadership positions in well-known hotel chains across the country. With a specialization in heading hotel operations, he would work to ensure an innovative hospitality experience for the guests at the Mussoorie property. In the past, he has served well-known hospitality brands such as Solitaire Hotel Bangalore, Pride Hotel Pune, The Chancery Bangalore, and Taj Gateway, Bangalore. While working on different positions at various hotels, he was responsible for operations and standards, strategy and business growth, and guest relations. Prior to joining Mosaic Hotel Mussoorie, he was working as the Hotel Manager with Vividus Bangalore.

He will also take care of implementing business strategies to attract more guests to Mosaic Hotel Mussoorie which is a luxurious property located on the mall road in the hill station. On becoming a part of the hotel, Mr. Kundu said, “Excited to join Mosaic Hotel Mussoorie and their mission to provide luxurious stays with premium hospitality services. This picturesque hotel offers top-notch hospitality services set against the stunning backdrop of the Garhwal Himalayan Range. As Mosaic Hotels always aims for excellence in every aspect of its operations, I am excited to work with their team of talented professionals and help contribute to the growth and success of this exceptional property.”

The Fern Seaside Luxurious Tent Resort & Nest Beacon Resort promotes Mr. Gurpreet S Kandhari as General Manager, Daman

The Fern Seaside Luxurious Tent Resort and Nest Beacon Resort are pleased to announce the promotion of Mr. Gurpreet Kandhari to the esteemed position of General Manager. With his successful leadership of operations in Daman since 2020, Gurpreet has consistently exhibited exceptional skills. In his new role, he will be entrusted with the responsibility of elevating the guest experience, managing the hotels' online reputation, driving core sales, cultivating valuable relationships, and uplifting both properties.

Mr. Kandhari brings with him an impressive background in the Hospitality sector, encompassing over a decade of experience with renowned brands such as ITC, Taj, Hilton, and Radisson before joining Concept Hospitality. He is deeply committed to igniting passion within his team while fostering a positive and harmonious work environment.

The Fern Hotels and Resorts promotes Mr. Kartikeshwar Panda as General Manager, The Fern Gir Forest Resort, Gir

The Fern Hotels and Resorts is delighted to announce the promotion of Mr. Kartikeshwar Panda as  General Manager, The Fern Gir Forest Resort, Gir. Kartik began his journey with The Fern Gir Forest Resort in 2011 as a Sous Chef, showcasing his culinary skills and commitment. Hailing from Odisha, he holds a degree in hotel management from IHM Bhubaneswar and commenced his career in 2005. Prior to this, Kartik worked with Hotel Hindustan International (HHI), gaining valuable expertise in the hospitality field.

As a passionate, self-motivated, and result-oriented professional, Kartik believes in leading from the front. His core strengths lie in effective decision-making, elevating guest satisfaction scores, fostering employee engagement, and nurturing leadership development. Over the past 11 years at Fern Sasan Gir, he has played a pivotal role in driving business growth in the renowned lion sanctuary of India. Kartik's leadership approach focuses on creating a culture of growth and development, where each individual thrives. He is process-oriented, aiming to simplify operations and enhance overall guest experiences. An avid nature and wildlife enthusiast, he envisions making The Fern Gir Forest Resort a signature brand known for its soulful and heartfelt services.

Swiss hospitality expert Martin Wuethrich appointed General Manager of Hua Hin Marriott Resort and Spa

Hua Hin, Thailand, June 2023 – Mr. Martin Wuethrich has been appointed as the new General Manager of Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa, bringing almost 30 years of hospitality experience and expertise to Thailand’s gulf coast.

A Swiss national, Martin grew up in a hospitality family and spent his teenage years working in his parents’ restaurant. Having graduated from the Higher Hotel Management School in Switzerland, he went on to gain valuable experience at the Luxury Resort Ermitage Golf & Spa in Schoenried, Switzerland. Martin always had a passion for travel however, and he made the decision to move to Asia in 1996. Following his first role as F&B Manager with Novotel in Bangkok, he enjoyed his first taste of life in Hua Hin in 1998 when he was appointed Executive Assistant Manager of the Anantara resort.

Since this time, Martin’s career has grown from strength to strength. Returning to Bangkok in 2000, he was appointed Director of Food & Beverage at Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers, which marked the start of a 23-year spell with Starwood Hotels and Marriott International in four countries: Thailand, Vietnam, India and Malaysia.

Martin’s first posting as General Manager was at Sheraton Grand Bangalore at Brigade Gateway in 2010, the first managed Sheraton in India. During this role, he won several awards including “General Manager of Year India” by Hotelier India. In late 2013, he moved back to Bangkok to open Asia’s first Le Méridien golf resort, Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi Golf Resort & Spa, where he achieved a #1 ranking on Tripadvisor and was recognized with the multiple awards, including the Divisional Brand Ambassador award for Le Méridien in Asia Pacific. He was also elected to the GM Advisory Board for Le Méridien worldwide.

Martin now returns to Thailand as GM of Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa.

“We are delighted to welcome Martin as General Manager of Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa. A highly accomplished and award-winning hotelier who has spent almost three decades in the hotel sector, including 12 years in Thailand and over two decades with Marriott International’s portfolio of brands, Martin is the perfect person to lead this popular beachfront resort. We look forward to embarking on an exciting new era of hospitality and creating exceptional guest experiences in Hua Hin,” said Jakob Helgen, Area Vice President, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia & Myanmar, Marriott International.

Luxury Service Expert Thomas Boehringer Joins Anantara BophutKoh Samui as General Manager

Bangkok,15 June 2023–Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort announces the appointment ofMr Thomas Boehringer as General Manager at the luxury resort in the Gulf of Thailand, effective1 June 2023. The Swiss national is tasked with managing the operations of the 106-key property and focusing on elevating guests’ experiences and a newly launched dining concept.Boehringer’s appointment brings extensive luxury hospitality knowledge and experience to thebeachfront resort that he gained at some of the most exclusive resorts in theMaldives prior torelocating to Thailand, including Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas and the 20-key NaladhuPrivate Island Maldives retreat.

A passionate hotelier, Boehringer’s hospitality career started in food and beverage service atEinstein Gourmet, an aMichelin-starred restaurant in St. Gallen, Switzerland, followed by a managerial appointment at the Paradise Koh Yao Resort boutique hotel in Thailand where he oversaw the optimization of productivity, quality of operations and guest satisfaction. In 2017, he opened and managed the deluxe TreeHouse Villas resort on Thailand’s Yao Noi island paradises Resort Manager.Boehringer is an alumnus of EHL Hospitality Business School in Switzerland, formerly known as École hôtelière de Lausanne, and graduated with an honours degree in Science of Hospitality Management.

“I am honoured by the confidence and trust Anantara Hotels Resorts & Spas has put in me and Ilook forward to taking the reigns at Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort to deliver the brand’slegacy of service excellence to our guests from around the world”, said Boehringer.

“With exciting new dining experiences to explore this summer travel season, including the first outpost of Anantara’s innovative and immersive Latin-American dining experience, Guilty, the resort is ready to cater even better to our returning and new guests.”Commenting on Boehringer’s appointment, Mr Mark O’Sullivan, Minor Hotels’ Managing Director Thailand North and Samui, said: “I am confident that by focusing on innovation and service excellence, Thomas will successfully drive his team to curate the authentic destination experiences that Anantara is renowned for to further position Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort long-term success.”

The Ummed Ahmedabad appointed Sunny Prasher as the new General Manager

A visionary who is known for his impeccable aptitude and understanding of client satisfaction  measures, Sunny Prasher, the newly appointed General Manager of The Ummed Ahmedabad, is a  dynamic personality who believes in the strength of action more than words.

The hospitality virtuoso has been a part of the industry for more than a decade and has been known for his detailed planning and immense understanding of the Brand Protocols and Standards that leads to enhanced strategy sessions for the brands. He has been known for achieving some of the highest Audit scores for the hotels he has associated with and has been exceptionally well at managing a large number of inventories.  

Sunny had started his career as the F&B Associate for Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi in 2000 and had worked his way up through grit and determination, to become the Assistant Front Office  Manager with the same hotel by 2010. He thereon moved to varied other prestigious names like  The Lalit New Delhi and The Leela Palace New Delhi wherein he slowly went on to become the  Head Concierge in the latter. However, his mettle shone in his decisive demeanor and situation handling as he came to be the Front Office Manager at Aloft New Delhi Aerocity (Marriott  International) in 2019. His last assignment before his current position was as Rooms Division  Manager of The Westin Resort and Spa in the Himalayas, (Marriott International) Rishikesh,  Uttarakhand in 2022. Through the years, the industry veteran has developed his skills in pertinence to leisure marketing that emphasizes guest satisfaction and worked earnestly to keep himself at par with the industry developments over the decade.

An alumnus of the Institute of Hotel Management in Pusa, New Delhi, Sunny has always been a staunch believer of honesty in work that seeks to shine through his personality as well. The experienced  Hotelier shall be bringing forth with him his gamut of industry knowledge and a keen ability to turn around situations to make it more feasible for the brand, in his new role as the General  Manager of The Ummed Ahmedabad.

Sunny Prasher, the newly appointed General Manager of The Ummed Ahmedabad

A visionary who is known for his impeccable aptitude and understanding of client satisfaction measures, Sunny Prasher, the newly appointed General Manager of The Ummed Ahmedabad, is a  dynamic personality who believes in the strength of action more than words. 

The hospitality virtuoso has been a part of the industry for more than a decade and has been known  for his detailed planning and immense understanding of the Brand Protocols and Standards that  leads to enhanced strategy sessions for the brands. He has been known for achieving some of the  highest Audit scores for the hotels he has associated with and been exceptionally well in managing  large number of inventories.  

Sunny had started his career as the F&B Associate for Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi in 2000 and  had worked his way up through grit and determination, to be become the Assistant Front Office  Manager with the same hotel by 2010. He thereon moved to varied other prestigious names like  The Lalit New Delhi and The Leela Palace New Delhi wherein he slowly went on to become the  Head Concierge in the later. However, his mettle shone in his decisive demeanor and situation  handling as he came to be the Front Office Manager at Aloft New Delhi Aerocity (Marriott  International) in 2019. His last assignment before his current position was as Rooms Division  Manager of The Westin Resort and Spa in Himalayas, (Marriott International) Rishikesh,  Uttarakhand in 2022. Through the years, the industry veteran has developed his skills in pertinence  to leisure marketing that emphasizes on guest satisfaction and worked earnestly to keep himself at  a par with the industry developments over the decade. 

An alumni of Institute of Hotel Management in Pusa, New Delhi, Sunny has always been a staunch  believer of honesty in work that seeks to shine through his personality as well. The experienced  Hotelier shall be bringing forth with him his gamut of industry knowledge and a keen ability to  turn around the situations to make it more feasible for the brand, in his new role as the General  Manager of The Ummed Ahmedabad. 

Ramandeep Marwah joins Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences as General Manager

Ramandeep will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of hotel operations, including guest services, sales and marketing, revenue management, and human resources

Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences announced the appointment of Ramandeep Marwah as the General Manager. With his extensive experience in the hospitality industry, Ramandeep is poised to lead the hotel to new heights of excellence.

Ramandeep brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry to his new role as General Manager of Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences. He has held various senior management positions in renowned hotels across India, including 10 years at Marriott, The Oberoi, The Leela, Taj, and Shangri -La for a brief period. He has a proven track record of successfully managing operations, driving revenue growth and ensuring guest satisfaction.

His leadership skills and industry expertise will be invaluable in ensuring that Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences continues to provide exceptional service to the guests and remains a top destination in Pune.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences team,” said Ramandeep. “I look forward to working with the talented staff and leadership team to build on the hotel’s success and deliver an exceptional experience for our guests.”

Monideep Jas is now the General Manager of Greenpark Chennai

He brings with him 21 years of hospitality expertise

Monideep brings with him 21 years of expertise in attaining operational excellence and driving growth across major hospitality brands such as Marriott and GRT Hotels. Over the years he has worked in various roles in the F&B division, allowing him to garner a robust understanding of the F&B industry and attain strong insights on consumer behaviour across various categories

In his new role, Monideep says, “I’m excited to be a part of Greenpark Chennai, a property that enjoys a strong reputation in the city. My focus would be on consistently working towards providing memorable stays and exceptional F&B experiences to all our guests.”

The group believes that as a seasoned hospitality veteran, Monideep has developed a distinctive leadership style, strategic decision-making skills, and an ability to empathise with guests which would facilitate him to contribute towards the growth and success of the property..

Neha Kapoor takes over as the new General Manager Of Hyatt Place Vadodara

Having started her career as part of the Front Office Team, Neha​ has risen through the ranks steadily and brings in over 19 years of versatile hospitality experience. 

She has spent over 13 years with Hyatt and has worked for various brands under the Hyatt India umbrella. Her first stint was at the flagship property, Grand Hyatt Mumbai, in 2004 where she was a Front Office Team Leader. After two years of acing in the same hotel, she moved as Sales Executive, from where her new journey in Sales and Marketing began.

In 2014, she moved to Park Hyatt Hyderabad as the Director of Sales and subsequently to Hyatt Regency Pune as the Director of Sales in 2017. She supported both the properties with strategies that established their positioning in the individual markets then. Neha then took up an assignment as Director of Sales & Marketing at Hyatt Place Hyderabad Banjara Hills in 2019 which is predominantly a corporate hotel, a market leader amongst hotels of similar category. 

She eventually developed a keen interest in Operations and was elevated to Assistant General Manager at the same property in 2021, overseeing Front Office, Housekeeping and Security operations. Her strong operational and leadership instincts, contribution to revenue growth, ability to foster a deeper sense of teamwork, empathizing and problem-solving skills to enhance guest experience will be instrumental in furthering Hyatt Place Vadodara’s objective of capturing a larger market share and enhancing service standards in the city. 

She also worked with hotels such as JW Marriott Mumbai, Sofitel Mumbai (Preopening) and Palladium Hotel Mumbai in various capacities within the Sales Department. 

The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences announces Jaideep Anand as new Vice President & GM

With an extensive experience of almost three decades with the brand, Jaideep has demonstrated an accomplishing record in improving hotel performances and offering unmatched luxury nuances

An industry veteran with over four decades of experience, Jaideep Anand has been associated with The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts since 1995. He oversaw the turnarounds of The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel Delhi and The Leela Ambience Gurugram before moving to The Leela corporate office as Vice President – Development and Pre-Opening. He has led the pre-opening tasks for The Leela Palace Jaipur, The Leela Gandhinagar and The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, managing pre-opening teams and ensuring that these properties reflect The Leela brand across all touch points.

Prior to joining The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences, Jaideep held the position of Vice President and General Manager at The Leela Gandhinagar and Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre Complex.

He has previously also worked with The Oberoi Hotels and Ananda in the Himalayas.

Sanjay Patti is the new General Manager at Hyatt Centric Janakpuri

He brings over 25 years of rich experience in the hospitality industry and has majorly been associated with Hyatt Hotels Corporation for over 20 years

His first stint was with Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces in 1997, wherein he looked after the Food & Beverage division for close to five years before moving to Hyatt. 

His Hyatt journey began at Goa and he served through the ranks across various positions in the region, he demonstrated a passion for delivering exceptional guest service and experiences.

Sanjay’s remarkable journey as a General Manager with the brand kicked off in 2015 with Hyatt Centric, Goa pre-opening. With his unwavering dedication and expertise, he has consistently delivered results across several Hyatt brands in India.

His vast knowledge and expertise in the hospitality domain has contributed immensely to the success of the group.

Sanjay will play a crucial role with his new assignment at Hyatt Centric Janakpuri, New Delhi, and will be responsible for driving the overall hotel operations with his strategic thinking and leadership skills which will strengthen the brand in the city. 

He will also play an instrumental role in developing and implementing sales and marketing strategies to drive revenue growth and increasing the market share. 

FUSION APPOINTS THREE NEW GENERAL MANAGERS OF VIETNAM PROPERTIES

HO CHI MINH CITY (May 2023) As Fusion continues to expand its reach throughout Vietnam, the hotel group has made a trio of management appointments in several of its key properties.

Marc Bittner becomes Fusion Hotel Group Director of Operations and General Manager of Fusion Original Saigon Centre

Fusion Hotel Group’s new Director of Operations and General Manager of Fusion Original Saigon Centre embodies the company’s spirit of vitality. The Canadian & French citizen has over a decade of experience working in some of Asia’s most luxurious hotels, including Fusion’s Maia Resort Quy Nhon, where he joined as the pre-opening General Manager in 2019.

With a career that has had him living around Asia and North America, Marc speaks multiple languages in addition to his native tongues, English and French. Prior to joining Fusion, he was General Manager of a luxury resort in Indonesia. He has a strong background in food & beverage, having started his hospitality career as a sommelier and holding positions as head sommelier, beverage manager, and director of food & beverage.

“With his prior Fusion experience, Marc brings with him a solid knowledge of our business, brand, and corporate office as he steps into the role of director of operations,” said Peter Meyer, CEO of Lodgis and Fusion Hotel Group. “In addition to his broad range of experience throughout Asia will be an asset as he helps set Fusion’s strategy and streamlines business operations.”

Fusion appoints Juliana Liew as General Manager of Fusion Suites Vung Tau

Juliana Liew steps into her third General Manager role as she makes the move from Fusion Suites Saigon to the coastal city of Vung Tau, where she will be managing the brand’s flagship Fusion Suites property. Originally from Malaysia, Juliana has held key management positions in her home and Mauritius before relocating to Vietnam in 2017. With a strong background in Sales and Marketing, she will be instrumental in successfully driving results and elevating property performance while playing a pivotal role in achieving operational excellence and delivering outstanding guest experiences.

“Juliana is an asset to the Fusion team having expertly navigated Fusion Suites Saigon through the pandemic,” said Peter Meyer, CEO of Lodgis and Fusion Hotel Group. “In this new role, she will have the opportunity to flex her skills in this popular oceanside destination.”

Fusion appoints Jakub Sippl as General Manager of Maia Resort Quy Nhon

A seasoned hospitality professional with a wealth of food & beverage and management experience has joined the Fusion team to lead the group’s inaugural culinary-focused property, Maia Resort Quy Nhon. Jakub Sippl, the Czech-native began his career in the restaurant industry nearly two decades ago on the island of Malta before pursuing a hospitality career that has brought him to the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam where he has most recently based in Phu Quoc.

“Jakub brings to his new role a strong background in food & beverage management, as well experience in managing of large-scale events and luxury properties,” said Peter Meyer, CEO of Lodgis and Fusion Hotel Group. “As General Manager of Maia Resort Quy Nhon, Jakub’s expertise will play an important role in elevating Maia’s culinary-focused programs and services to new heights.”

For more information visit: www.fusionhotelgroup.com

Gorav Arora joins Jaipur Marriott Hotel as the General Manager

Arora will oversee all aspects of the hotel, including operations, guest services, and team management

Working in the hospitality industry for over 22 years in Operations, Sales, Marketing, Revenue, F&B, and Operations, Gorav brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the hotel.

An alumnus of IHM Jaipur, he has gained an understanding of the hospitality industry and has demonstrated a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.

His career began at Hyatt Regency Delhi, where he worked in F&B Operations before moving on to the Sales Marketing function of The Oberoi New Delhi.

His last assignment was with Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach as General Manager, where he spent over four years including the years of the pandemic. During his time at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, Gorav played an integral role in renovating all rooms and suites at this hotel.

Throughout his career, Gorav has been fortunate to work twice with each of the three major hotel chains – Hyatt, The Oberoi Group, and Accor. His diverse experience and proven track record of success makes him the ideal choice for the role of General Manager at Marriott, Jaipur.

In his new role, he will oversee all aspects of the hotel, including operations, guest services, team management, and stakeholder management.

THE ST. REGIS DOWNTOWN DUBAI & DELTA HOTELS BY MARRIOTT, DUBAI INVESTMENT PARK WELCOME NEW MULTI-PROPERTY GENERAL MANAGER

DUBAI, UAE, May 2023 – The St. Regis Downtown Dubai and Delta Hotels by Marriott, Dubai Investment Park, part of Marriott International, are pleased to announce the appointment of Vipin Khattar as the new Multi-Property General Manager.

A seasoned leader with comprehensive experience as a hospitality professional, including time spent with prominent brands such as Marriott International and Hyatt International, Vipin is a passionate hotelier with more than two decades of illustrious experience primarily in the UK, Middle East, and Africa. In his role, Vipin brings a wealth of expertise to oversee the properties' operations, cultivate bespoke guest experiences, further enhance its F&B portfolio, and improve associate satisfaction, among other responsibilities.

Vipin has held various significant and career-defining roles, including his last stint as the General Manager of JW Marriott New Delhi. Under his leadership, the hotel reported exceptional performance in 2022, with sequential improvements in RevPAR and record-breaking rooms, restaurant and lounge revenue. Vipin’s commitment to achieve key business objectives alongside his guest-driven approach, has undoubtedly contributed to his tremendously rewarding career journey.

An alumnus of Hotel Management and Catering Technology from IHTTI School, Neuchatel, Switzerland with a specialisation in Hospitality Operations, Vipin is known for his exceptional sales and marketing skills and effective leadership style. He has filled the role of Raja Zeidan, who is now the Chief Operating Officer at RDK Group.

Commenting on his new appointment, Vipin Khattar said, "I am honoured to be at the helm of two incredible properties and be part of the Marriott International brand. I look forward to working alongside both teams to continue to uphold Marriott's hallmark of awe-inspiring service, unforgettable culinary offerings, and unparalleled attention to detail. By taking care of our people, I look forward to achieve new milestones for both hotels, with the ultimate goal to lead in their luxury and premium-select segments."

Sandipan Bose as the new General Manager, Mementos by ITC Hotels, Ekaaya Udaipur

Bringing with him over two decades of experience in the Indian hospitality sector, Sandipan Bose will lead the operations at Mementos Udaipur and strengthen the brand

Bose has been associated with the property since its pre-launch phase and he will strive to aptly position the ITC Hotels’ new luxury hospitality brand in the thriving hospitality market of Udaipur.

Holding a Diploma in Hotel Management from IHM Meerut, he began his career 23 years ago. He joined ITC Hotels at ITC Maurya in 2000 and since has worked in different roles at various major hospitality brands across India.

Having worked in different roles, he brings with him a unique combination of extensive operational excellence, blended with a financial and food and beverage product concepts. Hence, working in different markets in a variety of roles has helped him carve a niche for attaining operational excellence. 

On the personal front, he is an ardent traveller and cyclist and prefers spending time with his family in his leisure.

THE ST. REGIS CHICAGO ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE TEAM AHEAD OF MAY 2023 OPENING

Industry Veterans Team up to Deliver on Iconic Luxury Brand’s Standards of
Service, Tradition and Excellence at Chicago’s Best Address

CHICAGO – March 2023 - St. Regis Hotels & Resorts announced its executive team of St. Regis Chicago, ahead of the hotel’s May 2023 opening. Designed by world-renowned architect Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang and developed by Magellan Development Corporation, the 101-story St. Regis Chicago is the tallest building in the world designed by a female architect, and will offer guests a waterfront luxury oasis with best-in-class services and amenities. Led by General Manager Oliver Gibbons, the executive leadership team brings together seasoned luxury hospitality experts who will carry through the brand’s visionary spirit, avant-garde style, and bespoke service.  

“Building a dynamic team to exceed on the brand’s rich legacy of service and uncompromising commitment to excellence was crucial to introducing the iconic St. Regis brand to Chicago,” said Oliver Gibbons, General Manager at St. Regis Chicago. “We have curated a team of highly accomplished, passionate, and gracious leaders, with impressive luxury hospitality experience, and we look forward to introducing guests to Chicago’s premier destination, offering five-star accommodations, ultra-luxury living, elevated dining, and restorative wellness experiences.”

The St. Regis Chicago Executive Team Includes:
Oliver Gibbons, General Manager at The St. Regis Chicago Hotel and Residences

Gibbons will lead The St. Regis Chicago team and oversee the day-to-day operations of the property, which includes a 192-room hotel, 393 ultra-luxury residences; two restaurants in partnership with Chef’s Evan Funke and Hisanobu Osaka; a holistic wellness, spa, and fitness center; and more than 10,000 square feet of dynamic meeting and event space. Gibbons has played a vital role in leading the team through the completion of the hotel’s development over the last two years.

With extensive knowledge and more than two decades working in the international luxury hospitality industry, Gibbons has held leadership positions at esteemed properties, including the Forbes Five-Star recognized L’Ermitage Beverly Hills and Waldorf Astoria Chicago, which followed over a decade’s tenure with Accor luxury hotels and resorts in Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the United States.

Frederick J. Pérez, General Manager at The Residences at the St. Regis Chicago

As the General Manager of The Residences at the St. Regis Chicago, Pérez will oversee day-to-day operations of The Residences and ensure resident satisfaction at the 393-unit ultra-luxury property. Beginning his career with Marriott in 2000, Pérez has worked in a variety of hotel roles over the last two decades, most recently as Director of Operations at The Ritz-Carlton Club & Residences, Vail, and as Director of Residences at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Mexico City.

Yago del Rincon

Director of Operations at The St. Regis Chicago

With more than two decades of luxury hotel leadership experience across seven Ritz-Carlton hotels (including Hotel Arts Barcelona – a Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the Forbes Five-Star Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park) and executing nearly 20 hotel openings, del Rincon joins the team as Director of Operations, with the goal of enhancing operations through his commitment to impeccable service and industry-leading innovation.

Jackie Collens, Director of Sales and Marketing at The St. Regis Chicago

As Director of Sales and Marketing, Collens is responsible for exceeding guestroom and catering sales, revenue, and marketing goals. Collens brings two decades of experience from flagship, luxury hotels throughout New York City. Collens held leadership positions at the famed Waldorf Astoria and Towers as well as The St. Regis New York. Previously, she was the Asset Manager for Ty Warner, owner of Four Seasons Hotel New York. These iconic hotels further validate her invaluable industry experience and deep insight into the luxury marketplace. 

Becker Lara, Director of Engineering at The St. Regis Chicago, Hotel and Residences

Lara will lead the engineering teams and projects for both The St. Regis Chicago Hotel and Residences. Lara has vast experience in the Chicago hotel market, including leading engineering operations for the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, during a successful, major renovation.

Kamil Kowalski

Director of Finance & Accounting at The St. Regis Chicago

As Director of Finance & Accounting, Kowalski will be responsible for guiding all financial operations. Kowalski has served in leadership roles across several Marriott Chicagoland hotels, including Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel and Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel.  

Rita Grant, Director of Human Resources at The St. Regis Chicago Hotel and Residences

Grant will lead human resources efforts for both The St. Regis Chicago Hotel and Residences including building, acquiring, and retaining top talent across all divisions and levels. Grant has held a number of human resources roles, most recently at the JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America, where she was a member of the 2015 opening team and contributed to the property winning many accolades.

 Megan Candioto, Director of Revenue Management at The St. Regis Chicago

Candioto brings nearly two decades of experience working with international hotel brands and will be responsible for hotel’s top line revenue strategy. She has held positions at the Forbes Five-Star Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lake; Four Seasons Resort Nevis; Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel; Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara; and most recently with Park Hyatt Chicago, relaunching the property after an extensive renovation.

Supporting the executive leadership team are Director of Wellness, Kerri Stokes, and Executive Butler, Rafael De Valdes. Stokes joins the team with more than a decade of luxury wellness and spa experience, including the Spa & Health Club at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Chicago, and The Spa at the Peninsula Chicago, and will oversee all spa, wellness and fitness operations. As Executive Butler, De Valdes will oversee the St. Regis Butler Service team, a personalized, signature offering that ensures each guest’s individual preferences are understood and anticipated at every turn. De Valdes previously held the role of Director of Guest Services at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, where he managed a team of 25 Butlers.

Fortune Hotels appoints a new layer of General Managers to drive growth and guest experiences

These four experienced professionals will take forward the brand's commitment to exceptional guest experiences across the country

New Delhi, March 2023: Fortune Hotels, a member of ITC’s hotel group is pleased to announce a future-forward, strategic decision of appointing four highly experienced professionals as growth leaders. These able leaders while owning specific areas of operation are expected to make a significant contribution to the brand's strategic goals. Fortune Hotels has created these positions to drive efficiencies within the chain and to further strengthen the brand’s commitment to providing exceptional guest experiences across the country.

Commenting on the appointments, Samir MC, Managing Director of Fortune Hotels, said, “With our growth in sight, these four leaders have been chosen to consolidate our proven service offerings and value add to our legacy by preparing for the future. Each of our General Managers in their new roles including Ajay, Kunal, Saravanan, and Ricardo has had a solid performance track record. In the competitive business of hospitality, we look forward to their collective expertise propelling the Fortune Hotels brand positioning.”

The General Managers in their new roles are tasked with driving brand operations, improving the guest experience, and managing stakeholders to deliver consistent growth for regional hotels while focusing on the bottom-line results. Their previous experience of working with successful hospitality brands, multi-property management, and brand strategy, make them important growth drivers. 

Fortune Hotels has been on an aggressive path to expand its reach in tier-2 and tier-3 cities with its upscale to mid-market service offering for business as well as leisure travellers. The hotel chain has closely studied the growth and development of non-metros and spotted opportunities for the future. 

A brief introduction to the General Managers: 

Ajay J Sharma, Area Manager for North region: An experienced hospitality professional with over 30 years of experience who will be leading the North cluster of hotels. Ajay has previously held leadership roles in renowned hospitality brands like Oberoi Hotel, IHG, and Starwood, and is known for his dedication to exceptional service and guest satisfaction.

Kunal Banerjee, Cluster General Manager for East region: A seasoned hospitality professional with over 20 years of experience in successfully launching several hotels across India. After joining Fortune Park Hotels Limited in 2013 as General Manager, he will now lead the East cluster. Kunal has previously worked with luxury and upscale brands like K Raheja Hospitality Mumbai, Holiday Inn Singapore, ITC Sonar Kolkata, Hotel HHI, and Kolkata Fern Hotels.

Saravanan Dhanabalu, Area Manager for South region: With 28 years in hospitality, Saravanan is a highly skilled and experienced hotelier, with a global education and leadership roles in prominent hospitality brands. He has a keen eye for identifying growth opportunities. In his new role, he will be responsible for brand operations and administration of units in the south region.

Ricardo D’Lima, Cluster General Manager for Goa & West Coast region: A talented hospitality management professional with over 22 years dedicated to pre-openings, F&B operations, revenue management, guest relations and overall quality assurance. He has been with Fortune Park Hotels for eight years, and he was recently promoted to Cluster General Manager for Goa and West Coast. 

Hyatt Regency Dehradun Appoints Sumit Kumar as the General Manager

Dehradun, March 2023: Hyatt Regency Dehradun announced the appointment of Mr. Sumit Kumar as General Manager. An experienced professional, Sumit brings with him over 20 years of extensive hospitality experience.

After successfully holding a degree in the field of Hotel Management from Mangalore University, he started his professional journey with The Oberoi Hotels. By being an integral part of the pre-opening team at Hotel Amarvillas, Agra as well as Trident Jaipur, he has added many feathers to his cap in the world of hospitality. Furthermore, Sumit has pioneered his success by playing a pivotal role in the opening of The Chedi Muscat.

Having worked in different capacities, he has been a strong pillar and a key resource for Hyatt Hotels since his first stint in 2003. Initially, Sumit began his association as a valuable part of the Hyatt family, when he joined Grand Hyatt Dubai. During his career span, he has independently handled multiple signature restaurants at Grand Hyatt Dubai and Grand Hyatt Muscat. Owing to his seasoned industry knowledge, Sumit was appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at The Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa. He has successfully launched the brand Hyatt Place in India with the pre-opening of Hyatt Place Hampi and Hyatt Place Gurgaon as General Manager.

During his last stint as the General Manager at Hyatt Pune he has had a remarkable journey and achieved many milestones. The team at Hyatt Regency Dehradun now welcomes him aboard for yet another successful run in the heart of the hills.

The Ummed Jodhpur Palace Resort and Spa appointed Amit Soni as New General Manager

Renowned as the ‘force to reckon with’ among the industry peers, Mr. Amit Soni, the recently appointed General Manager of The Ummed Jodhpur Palace Resort and Spa, is known for being a meticulous planner, strategist, and hospitality visionary who believes in teamwork being the ultimate precursor to organizational success. 

The hospitality virtuoso with more than twenty years of experience is known for being associated with and experiencing the changing scape of hospitality in the country since the 2000s till date. His association with The Ummed Jodhpur has him actively involved and responsible for a gamut of strategic and dynamic initiatives for the hotel that includes spearheading business development, operations, and administration with his core strength lying in resort operations and sales and marketing.

Amit started his career as Catering Assistant with The Imperial New Delhi in 2000 and worked his way up through grit and determination, to become the Assistant Food and Beverage Manager with Shiv Vilas, Jaipur in 2011. In between, he was associated with renowned brands such as ITC Maurya, ITC Maratha, Radisson MBD, and ITC Mughal.  His mettle shone in his decisive demeanor and situation handling as he came to be the Food and Beverage Manager of ITC Fortune Park Hotels in 2015.  His last assignment before his current position was as the F&B Manager of Indiana Palace Jodhpur in 2017. Through the years, the industry veteran has developed his skills in pertinence to integrated and leisure marketing and has worked vehemently to keep himself updated with the latest developments of the industry.

A through-and-through gentleman, with his foundation, steered deep in his hotelier background, Amit has always believed that it is only through sheer determination and continued hard work that one can reach the zenith of organizational success.